Junior Graphic Designer & Marketing Coordinator, Onsite in Vernon, CA

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior Graphic Designer & Marketing Coordinator

Company: Next Step Systems

Location: Vernon, CA

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-19

Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Support the design and execution of marketing collateral, including product catalogs, packaging, and branding materials.

• Coordinate and manage logistics for seafood trade shows and marketing events.

• Update and maintain product price lists and other essential marketing documentation.

• Capture and edit product photography to enhance marketing content.

• Ensure consistent brand messaging and visual identity across all company materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role blends creative design responsibilities with operational marketing coordination, requiring a candidate who can seamlessly switch between creative tasks and logistical management in a fast-paced environment. The emphasis on trade shows and product marketing within the seafood industry suggests a need for an organized individual with an understanding of industry-specific visual communication needs.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and update product catalogs, calendars, packaging, and various marketing materials, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines and project deadlines.

• Maintain and update weekly product price lists, ensuring accuracy and timely distribution to relevant stakeholders.

• Assist in the planning, coordination, and execution of seafood trade shows and marketing events, including booth setup, material distribution, and logistical arrangements.

• Conduct product photography sessions and perform post-production editing to create high-quality visual assets for marketing campaigns and product listings.

• Support broader marketing and branding initiatives by contributing creative ideas and executing assigned tasks.

• Ensure brand consistency across all company materials, from digital assets to print collateral, reinforcing brand identity and market presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on creative output (design, photography) and operational execution (price lists, trade show logistics). The mention of "seafood trade shows" and "food packaging" indicates a specialization within the food and beverage industry, requiring an understanding of its unique marketing demands.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Marketing, Communications, or a related field is typically expected for a Junior role of this nature. Relevant certifications in Adobe Creative Suite or marketing principles would also be beneficial.

Experience: 0-2 years of experience in graphic design and/or marketing coordination. Experience in a fast-paced environment or within the food/seafood industry is highly advantageous.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, for design and editing tasks.

• Strong attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively.

• Experience with product photography and photo editing techniques.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet strict deadlines.

• A genuine enjoyment and understanding of seafood is a unique but explicitly stated requirement. Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience in marketing, graphic design, or food packaging.

• Familiarity with the food or seafood industry, including its marketing nuances and consumer preferences.

• Basic understanding of trade show planning and event coordination processes.

• Experience with content management systems (CMS) or digital asset management (DAM) systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement to "enjoy eating seafood" is unusual for a job description but directly stated by the employer, indicating a strong cultural or industry alignment is sought. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is a core technical requirement, essential for the design tasks.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a range of graphic design work, including examples of marketing collateral, packaging designs, and any catalog layouts.

• Demonstrations of proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite applications through project examples.

• Visual evidence of product photography and photo editing capabilities, highlighting aesthetic judgment and technical skill.

• Case studies or project descriptions that illustrate the ability to manage design tasks from concept to completion, including any price list updates or branding consistency efforts.

• Any examples that reflect an understanding of food packaging design or marketing in the food industry would be highly beneficial. Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly required, candidates who can articulate their design process, from brief interpretation to final delivery, will be well-positioned.

• Ability to describe how they manage updates to price lists or other frequently changing marketing information efficiently.

• Examples of how they ensure brand consistency across different design projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a junior role, the portfolio is crucial for demonstrating practical skills. The emphasis should be on showcasing foundational design capabilities and an understanding of marketing applications, particularly within the context of product-focused businesses like seafood.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $55,000 - $65,000 USD annually.

Benefits:

• Medical insurance

• Dental insurance

• Vision insurance

• Paid Time Off (PTO) Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week.

• The role is 100% on-site in Vernon, CA, requiring consistent presence during business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific and competitive for a junior-level role in the greater Los Angeles area, reflecting the blend of design and coordination responsibilities. The benefits package is standard for full-time employment. The 40-hour work week is typical for full-time positions.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage, specifically within the Seafood sector. This suggests a dynamic industry with unique marketing challenges and opportunities related to product seasonality, sourcing, and consumer trends.

Company Size: Not explicitly stated, but the presence of an internal marketing and design function suggests a mid-sized to larger organization that can support specialized roles.

Founded: Not specified in the provided data.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to a marketing or design lead, coordinating with various internal departments for product information and trade show logistics.

• The position is part of a marketing and design team that supports the company's overall Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy.

• Collaboration with sales, product development, and operations teams will be integral to success in updating price lists and developing marketing materials. Methodology:

• Data-driven approaches to marketing material creation, using price lists and product information to inform design.

• Emphasis on visual communication to highlight product quality and brand appeal in the competitive seafood market.

• Process-oriented approach to trade show planning and event execution to ensure seamless operations.

Company Website: www.nextstepsystems.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on seafood implies a culture that values product knowledge, potentially a strong work ethic, and an understanding of sensory appeal in its marketing efforts. The requirement to enjoy seafood suggests a culture that embraces and celebrates its core product.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Entry-Level (Junior) position, designed for individuals beginning their careers in graphic design and marketing coordination. It offers hands-on experience in a specialized industry.

Reporting Structure: The Junior Graphic Designer & Marketing Coordinator will likely report to a Marketing Manager, Creative Director, or a senior member of the marketing team.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts the company's brand perception, product visibility, and sales support through effective design and organized marketing efforts. Contributions to trade shows can lead to direct lead generation and sales opportunities.

Growth Opportunities:

• Develop a strong portfolio with industry-specific design and marketing experience.

• Gain expertise in the seafood industry's marketing and operational nuances.

• Opportunities to take on more complex design projects and marketing coordination tasks.

• Potential to specialize further in graphic design, trade show management, or broader marketing campaign development within the company.

• Learn about the end-to-end product lifecycle and its marketing implications.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role serves as a foundational step for a career in marketing and design. Growth will likely involve mastering core responsibilities, expanding skill sets, and demonstrating increased autonomy and strategic input within the marketing team.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The position is 100% Onsite in Vernon, CA, indicating a traditional office or studio environment.

Office Location(s): 1212 South Naper Boulevard, Vernon, CA. Vernon is an industrial city within Los Angeles County, offering accessibility within the greater Southern California region.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative office setting where interaction with marketing and design colleagues is expected.

• Access to necessary design software and equipment for creative tasks.

• A dynamic environment where tasks can shift rapidly between creative design, data entry (price lists), and event logistics.

• Opportunities to collaborate with different departments, including sales and product teams, to gather information for marketing materials.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, typically 40 hours per week. While specific flexibility is not detailed, standard business hours in an on-site role are expected. The nature of trade show planning may occasionally require extended hours or weekend work, though this is not explicitly stated.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Vernon, CA, emphasizes a need for local candidates or those willing to commute. The description of a fast-paced environment with varied tasks suggests a work setting that demands adaptability and efficiency.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of resumes and portfolios to assess basic qualifications, design skills, and experience.

• First Interview: Likely a conversation with the hiring manager to discuss experience, skills, and cultural fit, potentially including a review of portfolio highlights.

• Skills Assessment/Design Challenge: A practical exercise to evaluate proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, attention to detail, and ability to follow brand guidelines. This might involve a small design task or a product photo editing challenge.

• Final Interview: A meeting with key stakeholders to confirm suitability for the role and company culture. This might also involve a more in-depth discussion about trade show coordination or marketing project management.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Versatility: Showcase a range of design projects, including print collateral, digital assets, and packaging examples.

• Demonstrate Technical Skill: Ensure examples clearly show proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

• Showcase Product Photography: Include examples of product photography and editing, emphasizing clarity and appeal.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): For any past projects, briefly mention the objective and outcome, even if qualitative.

• Tailor to Industry: If you have any food or beverage industry-specific work, emphasize it.

• Address the "Seafood" Requirement: Be prepared to discuss your genuine enjoyment and any familiarity with the seafood industry.

Challenge Preparation:

• Brush up on core Adobe Creative Suite functionalities and common design principles.

• Practice image editing techniques, focusing on product presentation.

• Be ready to articulate your process for managing tasks and prioritizing work in a fast-paced environment.

• Prepare to discuss how you ensure brand consistency across different marketing materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely focus on assessing both creative talent and organizational capability. A strong, well-curated portfolio is paramount, and candidates should be prepared for practical design or photo editing assessments.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign are essential for graphic design and photo editing.

• Product Photography Equipment: Camera, lighting, and editing software for product shoots.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with basic spreadsheet software (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets) for price list management is implied. CRM & Automation:

• No specific CRM or automation tools are listed for this role, suggesting the focus is primarily on creative production and direct marketing coordination rather than complex system management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily weighted towards creative software. Candidates should be comfortable with these tools as they will be central to daily tasks.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: Valuing fresh design ideas and innovative marketing approaches.

• Attention to Detail: Emphasizing accuracy and precision in all design and coordination tasks.

• Efficiency & Organization: Promoting effective task management and timely delivery, especially for price lists and event logistics.

• Collaboration: Fostering teamwork to achieve collective marketing and design goals.

• Product Passion: A unique emphasis on a genuine connection to and enjoyment of the company's core product (seafood).

Collaboration Style:

• The role requires close collaboration with internal teams, including marketing, sales, and product development, to gather information and align on marketing strategies.

• A hands-on, team-oriented approach is likely preferred, where individuals contribute to shared objectives.

• Open communication is key for coordinating trade show details and ensuring brand consistency across various materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit emphasis on enjoying seafood suggests that cultural fit, specifically a shared enthusiasm for the product, is a significant hiring criterion. This goes beyond typical professional alignment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative and Operational Tasks: Juggling design projects with logistical responsibilities like price list updates and trade show planning can be demanding.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Working in a dynamic setting requires adaptability and the ability to manage shifting priorities effectively.

• Industry Specificity: Adapting design and marketing strategies to the nuances of the seafood industry, including consumer perceptions and market trends.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring a unified brand message across a wide array of materials and platforms.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Enhancement: Deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Suite and product photography.

• Industry Knowledge: Gain specialized knowledge of marketing within the food and beverage, specifically seafood, sector.

• Project Management: Develop skills in coordinating events and managing multiple marketing projects.

• Career Advancement: Build a strong foundation for future roles in graphic design, marketing coordination, or event management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical of junior roles that require a blend of creative and administrative skills. The growth opportunities are focused on building practical experience and industry-specific expertise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing a product catalog or marketing flyer. How do you ensure brand consistency throughout?"

• "How do you approach updating detailed information like price lists while maintaining design integrity and accuracy?"

• "Tell me about your experience with product photography. What is your process from setup to final edit?"

• "How would you prepare for and contribute to a seafood trade show from a marketing and design perspective?"

• "Describe a time you had to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines. How did you prioritize?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working in the seafood industry?"

• "How do you feel about seafood? Do you enjoy eating it?" (Be prepared to answer this directly and enthusiastically.)

• "What do you know about Next Step Systems and our products?"

• "How do you stay updated on design trends and marketing best practices?"

• "Describe your ideal work environment and team collaboration style." Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type (catalogs, packaging, photography) or by skill demonstrated.

• Storytelling: For each piece, briefly explain the objective, your role, the tools used, and the outcome.

• Highlight Relevant Work: Emphasize projects that showcase skills in print design, branding, and product presentation.

• Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your specific use of Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign in your projects.

• Address the "Seafood" Nuance: If you have relevant industry experience or can articulate how your skills would apply to marketing seafood, prepare to do so.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to demonstrate both their creative talent and their organizational acumen. The unique requirement regarding seafood enjoyment means that expressing enthusiasm for the product and industry is as important as showcasing technical skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.smartrecruiters.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight your graphic design skills, particularly proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, and any experience with product photography or marketing collateral.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your experience with design software, organizational tasks, and any relevant industry exposure. Use keywords from the job description such as "Graphic Designer," "Marketing Coordinator," "Adobe Creative Suite," and "Product Photography."

• Interview Preparation: Practice discussing your design process, project management approach, and your enthusiasm for the seafood industry. Be ready to present your portfolio and potentially complete a design or photo editing exercise.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Next Step Systems, their products, and their brand presence to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding of their market.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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